Curt Schilling sounds off on 3 topics

NEEDHAM, Mass. — Curt Schilling’s weekly podcast lasts three hours, but the real “Curt Schilling Show’’ never ends.

During one lively spree with USA TODAY Sports, Schilling took on these topics: the Seattle Mariners suspension of backup catcher Steve Clevenger in September after Clevenger sent out racist tweets about Black Lives Matter; ESPN’s firing Schilling in April; and federal rights vs. states’ rights.

Candidate Curt Schilling: I believe in this country

On Clevenger’s suspension: “If that was (Seattle’s All-Star pitcher) Felix Hernandez, he wouldn’t have been punished. Sports is all about money. You jeopardize the won-loss record or the money, if you’re not a Felix Hernandez, you’re out.’’

On his ouster at ESPN: “People are screaming about First Amendment rights. My First Amendment rights weren’t infringed on. You’re free to say whatever you want. But when you work for other people, they get to make the rules.

“My only beef about the whole thing was they fired me and then lied about why they fired me. They fired me because I’m a conservative American, not because I voiced something sort of sexist, transphobic homophobic. It had nothing to do with any of that, because I didn’t.”

On federal rights vs. states’ rights: “Why is the federal government in the marriage business? Why is the federal government in the business of telling you where you can pee? I mean, you would think that’s a joke. But that’s actually a conversation that potentially is in front of the Supreme Court. Are you kidding me, that that is where we’re at? It is, and to me that’s a crime."